How do I become successful after school?

Hi Jarus!

I am Young by name, an undergraduate student in one of the federal
universities.

I saw a lot of your posts and contributions to people on Nairaland, and
tried several times to contact you but couldn’t get reach of your
email. I would like to seek your opinion on some issues.

I am really impressed about your attainments at such age, especially owning a beautifully designed house already, which I know costs no small money. From my research about you, I found out you are a first class graduate of economics, and work in the oil sector. I was impressed; also, when I read your interview with Nuhu ribadu, I then became your fan.

That aside, as I write this to you, I am currently a 300 level student of one of the FUTs in Quantity surveying department. I am doing average in school with a CGPA of 4.27, currently in my second semester which was disrupted by the ASUU strike.

My problem now, Jarus, is that I want to be succesful after school, working in one of the big sectors in the country. But going around this is one problem I know for now I have to graduate with a good result. I am trying my best to finish with a first class; I know this is possible though not easy as I would need 4.8 every semester till
500 level but I’m willing to take the risk.

Now I would like to know if there are any professional exams or
requirement or anything you feel I should do so as to make it just as you
are currently doing.

Please if you have any exams I can take no matter how difficult they are
I can write them as long as they will help me.

Also I need your guidance like acting as my mentor.

I will also appreciate any contribution in details. And How can I
continue to keep in touch with you?

Thanks.

*****

Dear Young,

Thank you for the kind words. I’m really flattered. But first, let it make it clear I am not a big boy. To God be the glory, at 31, I own a good house and ride a good car, but when I look at people around me, I don’t think I am where I have the potential to be. But in all situations, we have to give glory to almighty God, especially as there are millions who are down there, yet we are not better than them.

I admit I am a quite lucky dude.  I am also fortunate to have good people around me. I have told my story in many articles here. Again, let me make it clear that I am not one big achiever that is worth celebrating that much – I’m a regular dude who even rides in public transport (danfo) in Lagos here (although I own an SUV)! I also don’t have a fat bank account, neither am I a senior management staff in my company. So it is necessary to put that in perspective. Now, let me highlight some factors that have helped me in my modest attainment:

1. Good family: I have a very good family and I had people like Akeem Oyewale I looked forward to, while growing up. I also have parents that always advise and guide me, right from very young age. For example, it is tradition in our house to build a house in our community first. I was advised to start building a house less than 1 year after I started working, and I was earning barely N200,00o per month then. My plan was to finish the house before I married, but it did not happen until two years after marriage. The lesson you can learn here is, don’t wait till you are big before starting something. Never forget the son of whom you are.
2. Good company: I have always kept good company. Majority of my friends are brilliant, religious and versatile. This really helped me. Of course, I have friends from the lower half of academic brilliance too, but they bring sincere advice to the table. Choose your friends well.
3. Focus: I think I am a quite focused person, right from young age. I used to think a lot. I always set my eyes on something big. I must admit I like to impress, so the desire to do something extra-ordinary also pushes me. I also like to be at the top in anything I do. I don’t like playing second fiddle. This really helped me in my academics.
4. God: I must also admit I am lucky. God has favoured me in so many things. I have been able to get some things that people better than me have not been able to get.
5. Read about other achievers: One of my favourite pages in newspapers are ‘appointments and promotions’. I like reading that part of newspapers, right from my secondary school days. When I see profiles of people being promoted or given jobs, I feel motivated to work hard. Maybe that is why, as you would have observed on this blog, I am obsessed with profiles. It is to motivate readers to be like the guys I profile here.
6. Networking: I think I am a good networker. I have this attitude of ‘just give it a shot, you will not die’. I knew if I approached Ribadu for interview, he will not kill me, he would, at worst, turn it down, and life continues. I have used that formula to penetrate many top guys including bank CEOs. I have used that attitude to get results in many things. Today, I have been able to meet people that I also surprise myself. And that has always been helpful to me. Sometimes, when you are brilliant but don’t have connections, it can constitute a snag in your progress.
7. Packaging: Let me also tell you that packaging is also key. The manner you carry yourself matters.
8. Versatility: I think versatility has been helpful to me. I guess I got this from early exposure to newspapers. My ability to discuss varying subjects from my core specialization (finance) to fields like sports, politics, religion, career, etc has opened doors for me in many things.

Now, there are other things I wish I changed about myself, such as saying too much about myself, and listening to advice more. I believe these downsides have negatively affected me too, and I could have achieved better if I had these qualities.

Now, again, I must state again that I am not an achiever in the sense you meant it. There are far better people. I have a brother that built his first house at 25, became company CEO at 27, and at 34 a GM in a bank. Like you described me with awe in your email above, I also look at those in awe. So all these things are relative.

Now to the specifics, try and make a First Class, it made my job search easier (at least it gets you invite for job tests, now left for you to defend), but if not possible, 2.1 is not bad either. Be focused, be versatile (Nairaland can also make you versatile, I have benefitted from NL), read wide, and pray to be lucky.  If you stay close to this blog, I’m sure you will learn more about job and workplace stuff. For professional exams, I don’t know much about your field (Quantity Surveying).

All the best.

Related cases:

How Do I Break into the Oil & Gas Industry?

Questions & Answers on Oil & Gas Career (i)

Questions & Answers on Oil & Gas Career (ii)

Want to become an Investment Banker: CFA or Msc Finance?

Tips on Lecturing Job Interview?

Deficiency in key WASSCE subjects and my CV

Academics or Corporate World?

After my 2.2, I want to start all over again from O’level!

Dundee+ACCA or Birmingham+CIMA?

Should I write FRM exams?

My HND/Bsc/MBA Dilemma

Accounting @ UNIBEN or Finance @ UNILORIN?

Tired of traditional banking; need to re-ignite my entrepreneurial spirit

How helpful is dropping hard copies of my CV in offices?

With my 2:2, how can I break into investment banking industry?

Employment Gap on my CV?